Factors Affecting Salt Intake in Young Adults

High salt intake is one of the key risk factors for development of high blood pressure and one of the main contributors to cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality. Despite the efforts to reduce the intake of salt in the UK, current intake still exceeds the recommended values. It is evident that better understanding of this behaviour is necessary to be able to design more effective CVD prevention strategies. This study aims to explore the determinants of salt intake with the focus on genetics, salt taste perception and salt knowledge.

Study Overview

• Status: Unknown
• Conditions: Salt Intake

Detailed Description

Hypertension is a major cause of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and overall mortality. High dietary salt intake is a major risk factor for hypertension estimated to be responsible for one in ten deaths from CVD events. Salt consumption worldwide and in the UK exceeds the recommendations. One of the main determinants of food intake, and potentially salt, is taste which may be genetically determined. Research exploring the associations between genetics, salt taste and salt intake is scarce. Better understanding of these associations would be of specific interest in younger populations as it has been shown that it is the young adults that have higher preference for salty taste and consequently salt intake. Therefore, the aim of this study is to explore the associations between genetics, salt taste perception and salt intake in young UK adults.

One hundred participants (18-35 years) will be recruited. Salt taste thresholds will be identified using the British Standards Institution sensory analysis method (BS ISO 3972:2011) and preference for salty taste by rating the pleasantness and bitterness of six tomato soups with differing salt concentrations. Salt intake will be measured using five step multiple pass 24-hour recall completed via online platform (Online surveys) for one day of the week and one weekend day. Participants will be genotyped for genetic variants in the SCNN1B and TRPV1 genes coding for ion channels expressed in taste cells.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Anticipated): 100

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United Kingdom
  • London, United Kingdom, TW14SX
    • St Mary's University

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years to 35 years (Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

• Sampling Method: Probability Sample

Study Population

Hundred participants will be recruited based on their age and health status. In addition, this number is required to reach the adequate number of participants that has the genetic variation of interest (TRPV1 and SCNN1B genes).

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

- Males or females, aged 18-35 years and healthy.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Current stage 1 or 2 hypertension
• Current or recent (less than one month prior to screening visit) use of antihypertensive medications or medications that affect BP
• Secondary hypertension
• History of cardiovascular disease, including myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, stroke, and peripheral arterial disease
• Chronic kidney failure
• Peptic ulcer disease requiring treatment during the previous two years
• Currently pregnant women
• Underweight (BMI<18.5 kg/m2) and obese (BMI>30 kg/m2)
• Currently adhering to a low sodium diet
• Any illness that permanently alters taste
• Inability or unwillingness to participate or sign informed consent form
• Food allergy

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Salt intake	Dietary salt intake - two 24-hour recalls	2 days observation

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: St Mary's University College

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Anticipated): March 15, 2019
• Primary Completion (Anticipated): September 1, 2019
• Study Completion (Anticipated): September 1, 2019

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: March 4, 2019
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 11, 2019
• First Posted (Actual): March 12, 2019

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): March 12, 2019
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 11, 2019
• Last Verified: March 1, 2019

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Other Study ID Numbers: SMEC_2018-19_007

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No